Abstract: A tracking reference fixation support configured to fasten a medical tracking reference to a patient's head, the fixation support comprising an elastically deformable base-plate having a bottom surface, the base-plate being configured to rest via the bottom surface against the surface of a patient's head; an interface-plate providing an interface for rigidly attaching a medical tracking reference to the fixation support; and at least one joint that couples the interface-plate to the base-plate, which allows the base-plate to deform while the interface-plate remains substantially dimensionally stable. The invention further relates to a corresponding tracking reference headband and to a corresponding method of providing a patient's head with a tracking reference.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sterile surgical drape comprising a cover portion for a tracking reference array, wherein at least a part of the cover portion is formed inherently stable and has a form adapted to accommodate multiple tracking markers of a tracking reference array for computer-assisted surgery. Further, it relates to a surgical draping system and a medical navigation method using such a drape.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a marker for optical medical navigation, comprising a structure (1) with at least one recess (3), and at least one supporting element (2), wherein each supporting element (2) is configured to be accommodated within a particular recess (3) and to support at least one optically detectable element (4), and wherein each recess (3) has a first opening (5) which allows a supporting element (2) to be introduced into the recess (3), wherein the recess (3) has at least two second openings (6) which are different from the first opening (5), wherein each of the at least two second openings (6) is configured to allow the at least one optically detectable element (4) supported by the supporting element (2) to be optically detected.

Abstract: A medical marker device comprising a) a plurality of markers which are disposed on the marker device such that each marker of the plurality of markers displays mirror symmetry with respect to a mirror plane of symmetry which is common to all markers of the plurality of markers, b) an attaching unit for attaching the marker device to a marker holder, wherein the attaching unit is disposed on the mirror plane of symmetry.

Abstract: A tracking reference fixation support configured to fasten a medical tracking reference to a patient's head, the fixation support comprising an elastically deformable base-plate having a bottom surface, the base-plate being configured to rest via the bottom surface against the surface of a patient's head; an interface-plate providing an interface for rigidly attaching a medical tracking reference to the fixation support; and at least one joint that couples the interface-plate to the base-plate, which allows the base-plate to deform while the interface-plate remains substantially dimensionally stable. The invention further relates to a corresponding tracking reference headband and to a corresponding method of providing a patient's head with a tracking reference.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sterile surgical drape comprising a cover portion for a tracking reference array, wherein at least a part of the cover portion is formed inherently stable and has a form adapted to accommodate multiple tracking markers of a tracking reference array for computer-assisted surgery. Further, it relates to a surgical draping system and a medical navigation method using such a drape.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fixation system for attaching a medical image registration matrix (40) to a patient holder (2) which is to be covered by a sterile drape (10), wherein the fixation system comprises at least one fixation set (L, R) comprising a lower part (6) which is adapted to be connected to the patient holder (2) and an upper part (26) which is adapted to be connected to the registration matrix (40) or one of its supporting elements, wherein: the lower and upper parts (6, 26) can be connected to each other by a connector (25) which does not penetrate the drape (10); the lower and upper parts (6, 26) comprise mutually engageable profiled interfaces (8, 28) which are formed so as to accommodate and clamp the drape (10) between them; and wherein the profiled interfaces (8, 28) fit together over a continuous zone of engagement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tracking reference structure for localizing and tracking an object by means of a medical tracking system, said structure comprising: —a first part (1) which forms a support structure for at least one tracking marker (3); and—a second part (2) which is configured to be fixed to said object, wherein a positionally fixed connection between the first part (1) and the second part (2) is established by means of an interface comprising at least one resiliently articulated element (4) on the first part (1) and/or second part (2), which engage(s) with the respective other part (2, 1), and wherein the resiliently articulated element (4) is configured such that its restoring spring force alone is already sufficient to positionally fix the connection.

Abstract: A connector for attaching a reference array in a fixed positional relationship with respect to a patient to be covered by a sterile drape in an attachment area, includes a support to be situated below the drape and a clamping element which is to be situated above the drape and can directly or indirectly hold the reference array or a reference array adaptor, wherein the clamping element clamps the support, with the drape caught between the two, by at least two distinct clamps which clamp the support from at least partly opposing directions in such a way that the positional shift in the clamping element as a result of clamping the drape at the clamping position is compensated for, such that its overall positional shift is substantially zero. A method attaching a reference array in a fixed positional relationship relative to a patient above a sterile drape is also provided.

Abstract: A connector for attaching a reference array in a fixed positional relationship with respect to a patient to be covered by a sterile drape in an attachment area, includes a support to be situated below the drape and a clamping element which is to be situated above the drape and can directly or indirectly hold the reference array or a reference array adaptor, wherein the clamping element clamps the support, with the drape caught between the two, by at least two distinct clamps which clamp the support from at least partly opposing directions in such a way that the positional shift in the clamping element as a result of clamping the drape at the clamping position is compensated for, such that its overall positional shift is substantially zero. A method attaching a reference array in a fixed positional relationship relative to a patient above a sterile drape is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a connector (1) for attaching a reference array (72) in a fixed positional relationship with respect to a patient, wherein the patient is to be covered by a sterile drape in the attachment area, the connector (1) comprising: a support (12) which is to be situated below the drape (30); and a clamping element (14) which is to be situated above the drape and can directly or indirectly hold the reference array (72) or a reference array adaptor, wherein the clamping element (14) clamps the support (12), with the drape (30) caught between the two, by means of at least two distinct clamps (16) which clamp the support (12) from at least partly opposing directions in such a way that the positional shift in the clamping element (14) as a result of clamping the drape (30) at the clamping position is compensated for, such that its overall positional shift is substantially zero.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a marker for optical medical navigation, comprising a structure (1) with at least one recess (3), and at least one supporting element (2), wherein each supporting element (2) is configured to be accommodated within a particular recess (3) and to support at least one optically detectable element (4), and wherein each recess (3) has a first opening (5) which allows a supporting element (2) to be introduced into the recess (3), wherein the recess (3) has at least two second openings (6) which are different from the first opening (5), wherein each of the at least two second openings (6) is configured to allow the at least one optically detectable element (4) supported by the supporting element (2) to be optically detected.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tracking reference structure for localizing and tracking an object by means of a medical tracking system, said structure comprising:—a first part (1) which forms a support structure for at least one tracking marker (3); and—a second part (2) which is configured to be fixed to said object, wherein a positionally fixed connection between the first part (1) and the second part (2) is established by means of an interface comprising at least one resiliently articulated element (4) on the first part (1) and/or second part (2), which engage(s) with the respective other part (2, 1), and wherein the resiliently articulated element (4) is configured such that its restoring spring force alone is already sufficient to positionally fix the connection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tracking reference structure for localising and tracking an object by means of a medical tracking system, said structure comprising: a first part (1) which forms a support structure for at least one tracking marker (3); and a second part (2) which is configured to be fixed to said object, wherein a positionally fixed connection between the first part (1) and the second part (2) is established by means of an interface comprising at least one resiliently articulated element (4) on the first part (1) and/or second part (2), which engage(s) with the respective other part (2, 1), and wherein the resiliently articulated element (4) is configured such that its restoring spring force alone is already sufficient to positionally fix the connection.

Abstract: A medical marker device comprising a) a plurality of markers which are disposed on the marker device such that each marker of the plurality of markers displays mirror symmetry with respect to a mirror plane of symmetry which is common to all markers of the plurality of markers, b) an attaching unit for attaching the marker device to a marker holder, wherein the attaching unit is disposed on the mirror plane of symmetry.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fixation system for attaching a medical image registration matrix (40) to a patient holder (2) which is to be covered by a sterile drape (10), wherein the fixation system comprises at least one fixation set (L, R) comprising a lower part (6) which is adapted to be connected to the patient holder (2) and an upper part (26) which is adapted to be connected to the registration matrix (40) or one of its supporting elements, wherein: the lower and upper parts (6, 26) can be connected to each other by a connector (25) which does not penetrate the drape (10); the lower and upper parts (6, 26) comprise mutually engageable profiled interfaces (8, 28) which are formed so as to accommodate and clamp the drape (10) between them; and wherein the profiled interfaces (8, 28) fit together over a continuous zone of engagement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a connector (1) for attaching a reference array (72) in a fixed positional relationship with respect to a patient, wherein the patient is to be covered by a sterile drape in the attachment area, the connector (1) comprising: a support (12) which is to be situated below the drape (30); and a clamping element (14) which is to be situated above the drape and can directly or indirectly hold the reference array (72) or a reference array adaptor, wherein the clamping element (14) clamps the support (12), with the drape (30) caught between the two, by means of at least two distinct clamps (16) which clamp the support (12) from at least partly opposing directions in such a way that the positional shift in the clamping element (14) as a result of clamping the drape (30) at the clamping position is compensated for, such that its overall positional shift is substantially zero.

Abstract: A pre-calibrated reusable instrument includes an instrument holder and an instrument held by and movable with respect to the instrument holder. The instrument includes at least two functional elements and at least three markers, wherein at least one of the markers is movable with the instrument relative to the instrument holder such that a movement of the instrument produces a corresponding movement of the at least one marker.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical instrument, comprising a signal transmitter and at least one activating device for activating the transmitter which is provided on a transmitter unit which is separate from the instrument, wherein the transmitter unit is a unit which can be fastened to the exterior of the instrument. It also relates to a method for controlling a treatment-assisting medical software by means of a signal transmitter which is arranged on a medical instrument, wherein the instrument is positionally detected by means of a medical tracking system, and wherein the software assigns a different significance to the signal output by the transmitter depending on the position of the instrument.

Abstract: A device and method for automatically verifying, calibrating and surveying a navigable surgical instrument, wherein by means of a scanning device, the geometry of the instrument, in particular the shape of the functional elements (e.g., tips) and their spatial position with respect to an attachable reference system, are detected. By means of a data processing unit, a three-dimensional model of the instrument is calculated from the detected information concerning the geometry of the instrument including the reference system, wherein verification, calibration or surveying is performed with the aid of the ascertained information concerning the geometry of the instrument.